Exploring life experiences at home and beyond – Destination Happiness

The world is your classroom

(Wrote this yesterday but problems with my site meant I had no access until today )

Today World Teachers’ Day is celebrated in Australia. I knew this day existed but new nothing really about it despite being a primary school teacher. It is apparently celebrated internationally on the first Friday of October but as that is within the Australian school holidays, it is celebrated on the 25th October here. Barry O’Farrell , Premier of NSW wrote a message to teachers.

This morning still fatigued from the kindergarten to Year 2 Athletics Fun Day held yesterday (I’m guessing the kids slept well after their busy day) I’d arrived at school and followed my normal routine of preparation. The prize box was freshly filled, books out, smartboard logged on, pencils sharpened, windows opened, awards written for assembly later that day, picked up some printing of labels for the wall decorating art work then I took a moment to look over the room from my desk with 20 minutes left until the children come into class.

It was then I received a message from the parents of a boy in my class (taught his brother 3 years earlier).

Names have been erased 🙂

That a parent had taken the time to write this thank you message to celebrate their child’s learning ,with me as an important link, thrilled me. As a teacher I strive to be the best one I can and for the children to be the best they can. I always try to instill in the children a love of learning to last a lifetime, not to pass a test. When out in the community I’m especially pleased when students I have taught ,some as long ago as 20 years ago, (am I really that old??? ) approach me to say hello. I don’t always remember their names but once told I can always relate a personal memory story of our time in class together – and the mere fact that they bother to speak to me humbles me.

I can honestly say I love my job. Although you no doubt will see me complain about report writing here over the next few weeks, in reality I enjoy the opportunity to share the knowledge I have learned about each child throughout the year. Watching the steps each child makes, I feel the hardship of each tumble and the elation with each success as they rise from the tumble. I feel honoured to be a part of helping to shape tomorrows leaders. So , thank you parents for sharing your most precious children with me!!

And to those teachers out there who taught my children I send a special thank you too. They nurtured my children at school, helped them to explore new horizons, helped develop in my kids the strength to believe in themselves … the list is far, far to long to record here! To see the wonderful adults they have grown into, with a never ending passion to learn, is testament to not just me and my husband, but their teachers too.

Education is not a series of NAPLAN and HSC results throughout the years of schooling. Education is something we take from all facets of our lives, and if my classes learns just that at school I feel I have been successful.

People say we are lucky for the amount of holidays we teachers get. I say we are lucky but it is for the opportunities we get each day interacting with the most precious resource ever …children- the future.

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A mum to 2 grown up children who always make me proud, a wife and a full time school teacher. I love eating great food but am not motivated to cook. Love traveling around this great country in which I live. Often found traveling with my husband Brian. I write for pleasure and if it's read (and enjoyed) by others then that's a bonus! 2014 saw me begin the 'new' me. Working hard at leaving the fear of 'what if' behind and replacing it with YOLO adventures. :)

Wow! That is just so cool for you. What a blessing.
You know, I love to watch the local primary school principal at functions (she is about to lose my last child to high school next year). The amount of kids in high school uniforms that come up to speak to her and give her a hug is amazing. (And she remembers all their names). She even remembers my son (now married and living in Melbourne) and asks after him on occasion. I know my little girl is going to miss her. That’s a great legacy you know.
Be proud that you are part of some child’s legacy. 🙂

What a lovely comment from a considerate parent! You have made me feel dreadful now as I completely forgot to thank the teachers at my kids’ school. They do know I LOVE the school though! I love to go to the classrooms just to see the teachers when I can. They are all so bright, happy and clever and I can have great conversations with them!
Great you got your blog happening again too!

See , you show appreciation all the time. I love having parents in my room and their kids love it too. I’m so pleased too , my blog got fixed. It’s such a rewarding hobby. I love writing and enjoy just as much reading all the other blogs and interacting with the writers. So glad you popped by 🙂